The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Mental health

Debut of two Groundbreaking MHA of Westchester Services

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Suicide bereavement services offered by a specialist who has experienced her own personal loss to suicide

Each person experiences the loss of a loved one to suicide in their own way and in their own time. Through our new Suicide Loss: Outreach, Support and Healing service, we are able to offer compassion, understanding and support from a trained specialist who has also experienced personal loss to suicide.

Support is provided in a variety of ways and may include: connections to support groups in the community, sharing resources such as books, managing tasks at hand, discussing expectable reactions to a loss to suicide, how and what to share, and supporting family members – especially children. Suicide Loss: Outreach, Support and Healing services are provided at no cost.

Continue reading about Suicide Loss services>>>

Groundbreaking Telehealth service now at MHA

This summer, MHA debuted a groundbreaking behavioral health service that enables clients to meet with our psychiatrists via two-way, real-time interactive audio and video equipment.

Featuring HIPAA-compliant computer and web cam configurations, Telehealth stations are located in MHA’s White Plains, Yonkers and Mount Kisco clinics and offer improved access to care for clients who are in crisis situations and those who engage in clinical walk-in services.

Continue reading about Telehealth>>>

 

This news was provided as a courtesy to MHA of Westchester.

Judy Collins Helps Break the Taboo at MHA of Westchester Fundraiser

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“Break the taboo, tell the story,” Judy Collins told attendees of “An Evening of Conversation and Song,” the October 13th fundraiser for the Mental Health Association of Westchester at the Emelin Theater.

Collins, or “Judy Blue Eyes,” –- the legendary singer/songwriter of now classic American songs including “Both Sides, Now” and “Send in the Clowns,” –- proceeded to do just that, as she shared stories of her struggles with alcohol … “I was safe in New York with my therapist and half gallons of vodka.”

With depression…”While the outer self is looking so terrific, the inner self is saying: help, help.”

And finally, the different circumstances surrounding the suicide of her son and her own suicide attempt recovery.  “The music saved me,” she shared. “It always has…Art makes it possible to survive on this planet.”

And so has the understanding that failure is ‘ok,’ she said.

“Scientists will tell you they learn the most from their failures,” Collins said. “There is no guilt in suicide…it is all about the process of getting from one point to the other.”

There are people who know that ‘truth,’ she added. And advised: “Be part of that clan” who offer “a bridge to life.” She commended the staff and volunteers of the MHA “for the miraculous work you do.” Following Judys’ talk, attendees enjoyed a reception and book signing.

For more information, please visit mhawestchester.org.

 Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press, was recipient of a 2015 Media Award from the MHA of Westchester and a media sponsor for this event.

Judy Collins with Armonk resident Shari Applebaum
Judy Collins with Armonk resident Shari Applebaum

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The Youth Mental Health Project

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The Youth Mental Health Project (YMHP) is a newly formed 501(C)(3) mental health organization focusing on children and young adults. Its founders, Wendy Ward and Randi Silverman, are passionate about getting the conversation started in our communities. “We don’t think of mental illness as a childhood illness,” says Silverman. “Yet, one in five have a diagnosable mental health condition, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in young adults,” Silverman adds. This is, no doubt, a difficult topic to broach, but YMHP plans on bringing that message to the forefront through a multi-pronged approach.

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Eli Silverman, YMHP Founder/Chairman Randi Silverman, YMHP Founder/Executive Director Wendy Ward & Producer Carina Rush of No Letting Go

The organization stemmed, in part, from the personal family struggle of Randi Silverman when her son, Eli Silverman,* began exhibiting symptoms of a mental health disorder at a young age. “It took seven years for a diagnosis,” says Silverman. The family’s story is bravely illustrated in a film, No Letting Go, which won 20 international awards, including the Reading Film Festival 2015 People’s Choice Award and the Southampton International Film Festival 2015 Feature Screenplay Award.

YMHP is focused on changing the narrative to ignite a grassroots dialogue. Through various mediums, they seek to inform and educate community stakeholders, parents, and others about the importance of children’s mental health nationwide. Promoting mental health literacy programs is one avenue. YMHP believes early intervention and prevention is key in lowering the incidence and severity of mental illness.

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Launch party for the Youth Mental Health Project on November 15th.

Dismantling the stigma surrounding mental illness is also important. Silverman is a breast cancer survivor. “Remember when the ‘C’ word was a taboo topic? No one talked about it,” says Silverman. Today, over the years, strides have been made and people came forward, raised money and, now, cancer is no longer a shameful diagnosis. “I would like to see the same happen for mental health issues,” says Silverman.

To find out more about YMHP and their important mission, please visit the various links below.

By Janine Crowley Haynes, Chappaqua resident and author of My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World

www.ymhproject.org

https://www.amazon.com/No-Letting-Go-Kathy-Najimy/dp/B01ATCA5CG

Eli Silverman Photography: www.espicture.com

October 13: “Judy Blue Eyes” for the MHA of Westchester

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THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF WESTCHESTER

INVITES YOU TO AN EVENING OF

Conversation and Song

with

Legendary Singer-Songwriter

Judy Collins

Two weeks from today, Grammy Award-winning artist Judy Collins will take the stage and lend her voice to raise awareness for mental health.

Please join us on Thursday, October 13th for an intimate evening with Collins, who will share her deeply personal story and touch upon alcoholism, depression, the suicide of her son and her own suicide attempt recovery.

Prior to the event, Judy will sign copies of her latest book and CD, and you’ll have the chance to enter to win incredible raffle packages and silent auction prizes, including:

Oh What a Night!

Prepare to be whisked away by limousine to your perfectly situated home base for a weekend in New York: two nights at the Chambers Hotel, an oasis of calm in the city’s epicenter. On the agenda: dinner at the sought after Locanda Verde, a casual, energetic, neighborhood Italian taverna in Tribeca serving chef Andrew Carmellini’s soul-satisfying dishes. Finally, at the end of the weekend, Stardust Limousine will be there to take you home.

Placid As Can Be

Lake Placid in winter is one of earth’s most magical spots and The Mirror Lake Inn is a picture-perfect spot from which to take it all in. Winner of 2016 Adirondack Life’s Best of the Park Readers’ Poll—Best Hotel, Best Outdoor Dining. The winner of this package receives two nights lodging in a Classic Guest Room with stunning views of both the lake and the mountains, including breakfast each morning.

Game On!  

Get ready to rumble! Enjoy two upper deck, 40 yard line tickets to the New York Giants vs. the Detroit Lions on Sunday, December 18, 2016. 

Mickey, Minnie and Me

Take in all that Walt Disney World has to offer with four one-day hopper passes. There are places you remember . . . and Disney World is surely one.

Proceeds from the event benefit MHA’s vital mental health services. 

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW >>>

Thursday, October 13, 2016

7:00 pm

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The Emelin Theatre

153 Library Lane

Mamaroneck, NY 10543

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Hit Single Tickets: $100

VIP Passes*: $200

*VIP Passes almost sold out!

An Evening of Conversation and Song with Judy Collins

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The Mental Health Association of Westchester invites you to an evening of Conversation and Song with Legendary Singer-Songwriter Judy Collins

Judy Collins

This intimate evening of conversation and song will provide the audience with a glimpse into the life of acclaimed Grammy-winning artist Judy Collins. Listen as she shares her deeply personal story, touching upon depression, the suicide of her son and her own recovery from attempted suicide.

The event will be followed by a special VIP reception with Collins, which includes refreshments and dinner by the bite.

Proceeds from the event benefit MHA’s vital mental health services.

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

Please join us as Judy Collins lends her voice to raise awareness for mental health

Thursday, October 13, 2016
7:00 pm

The Emelin Theatre
153 Library Lane
Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Sponsors

Gold Record
Westchester Medical Center

Chart Topper
Clarfeld
New York Presbyterian
Drs. Robert and Ann Mandel Laitman
Kate S. and Michael Lombardi
Gerald Stern and Carla Pasquali
Yvonne Tropp and Alan Epstein

Top 40
Regeneron
Janet Z. Segal
Meryl A. Allison and Elisa E. Burns, MD
Nora and Jonathan Contract
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Patrice Ingrassia and Christine Broda
Peter and Michele Sloane

Media Sponsors
Inside Armonk
Inside Chappaqua
Westchester Magazine
WHUD